The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-06-27

der the stars and in the soft air. The
two strangers had supped heartily,
AMI now sat by themselves, at some
dist ance from the rest OF the party.
Wh,n Fanny Carroll sang, in her love
ly ana well-trained voice, Mustang
Nose took the pipe from his mouth
and let il 20 out as he held it in his
hand. When most OF the inmates OF the
house had retired, Uncle Jim told
All Fong to take the two men to
chamber at the head OF O small stair.
way leading from the main room OF
the ranch. The boy obeyed and then
returned to this main room, in which,
on the wide hearth, burned q cheerful
fire OF logs. He approached the stall
wart frontiersman, who sat before
the fire gazing into its blazing depths.
Master" said All Fong, che t'luly
b'long lallee-loon man. Mi hear he
talkee. (They are really robbers. !
heard them TALK" Uncle Jim look
ed at him gravely.
"Ah Fong, or whatever yer blamed
heather name is, said he, IL didn't
never think I'd come to say it to
Chinee, but wouldn't be surprised ef
her head was level. Now you skip to
bed an I'll stop here. Skip, sayl"
All Fong went out, closing the door
behind him but he proceeded no far
tier than the passage, where he
crouched in a corner quiet as mouse.
In the solitude in which much OF
Uncle Jim's life was passed, he had
formed a habit OF talking to himself,
as All Fong could now hear HIM.
"Knowed me, did he? Perhaps he
did, and perhaps he didn't. But i
could swar I'd seen the mean little
cuss before. Wonder whar it was.
Could he have been one ofthem cusses
we bounced out of the old town down
to Pueblo. Or in the crowd tibet tried
to lump Tom Carroll's mine? Or in
tibet thar outfit we was after for steal
in mules up to FairplayY Waal, /
dsremember. He sat silent for some
time, then suddenly started and struck
his knee with his hand. "Pvegot him."
he said "Why on airth didn't
catch on beforeY It's the Teller
that we catched with aces
in his sleeve up to Bill Larned's
ranch, the winter OF the big snow storm.
An heerd next year that he was in
with the gang tibet stopped the Fair
play stage. He don't mean no good
in this yere place, he an tibet upright
eous-lookin' pard OF his'n, and they're
two to one. l allow I'd ought to be
well heeled an all ready for 'em, if
they is up to any little games"
He drew alarge revolver fir om behind
his hip, reloaded and capped it, max
ing every motion with marked deliber-
alton; then, taking a piece OF cord
from his pocket, he bound the trigger
to the rear OF the guard. He laid the
formidable weapon on chair by his
side; then lighted an old pipe and be-
gan smoking. Thus, through the night
hours, he kept his vigil. What his
thoughts were, no one could tell; for
no sign OF them appeared on tho rug
ged features lighted up by the
cheerful blaze. 1t was just day
light when he heard sounds overhead,
and, after an interval, steps on the
stairs. He arose and stood erect, and
with the six-shooter in the firm grasp
of his left hand covered the door, hold
ing his right hand in front OF the ham,
mer, ready Tor that quick and deadly
motion called flaming" Another
moment, and tine door softly opened
and Beaver. Dam Bill entered, followed
by his companion. They must have
been looking cautiously downward
and picking their steps, for they were
both in the room before they saw the
Weapon pointed at them, and the
fierce eyes behind it, and heard the
command:
"Hold up yer hands--yel" They
obeyed in an instant, in unmistakable
surprise and panic. Uncle Jim ad-
vanced.
81 don't know why ] didn't shoot
the pair OF ye on sight," said he IN
concentrated tones.
The small man, erin ging before him,
managed to comman d his voice.
"Mr Boyle" he stammered, don't
shoot, don't shootl We amt dom
no harm Hope to die ef ain tgivin'
it to yer straight. Our guns amt
loaded; yer kin see fur yerself."
Uncle Jim's face relaxed slightly.
He approached the men, who dared
not lower their hands, and took the
revolver from the belt OF each. Sure
enough, they were not charged. He
ielt for concealed weapons. but found
none.
"All right" he said. 81 allow we
amt very dangerous jest now; but I'd
like to know what you cusses is a
ioin'."
Then Mustang Nose spoke to him,
for the first time since his arrival at
the ranch. T'll tell ye," said he.